Do-It-Yourself Sunroom Kits- The 4-Seasons Model

It is rather easy these days for homeowners to build their own sunrooms, due to the use of modular components, but should a homeowner build their own sunrooms or hire a contractor to build it for them?

You decided to build your sunroom and have checked with your neighborhood association about the building codes and zoning laws in your area, and have been cleared to start your project. This task is fairly easy to accomplish. You can either look your local agency up in the phone book and give them a courtesy call, or go down to the local office where they will be more than happy to assist you in explaining the local zoning laws and building codes, that may or may not affect the construction of your new sunroom. They may even be able to help you find a local contractor, that they have had do business for them in the past, or even give you multiple contractors by printing you out a list of certified contractors that work in that local area that are very proficient in the zoning laws and building codes in your neighborhood. This step could be very beneficial to you in so many way, the more informed you are the better off you stand when it comes time to begin the construction of your new sunroom.

Several companies specialize in the design and construction of sunrooms, and do-it-yourself kits. These kits, which are the least expensive way to build your new sunroom, come already pre built in a modular type fashion, these kits, are also massed produced, which doesn't mean you cannot alter it in any way, customization of your sunroom kit may increase the cost of the sunroom.

When searching to purchase a sunroom kit you are going to want to provide the manufacturer you are dealing with as much information as possible. You want to be able to get the most accurate quote available to you so you are not spending any more money then you have allotted in your budget. The ways to provide the manufacturer with this information is to take accurate measurements, which is the most important part of ordering your sunroom kit. What type of materials are you looking for; there are different types of quality when choosing building material take this in consideration, especially if you are working on a budget. What type of windows would you like to have in your sunroom? What type of roof would you like on your sunroom? Everything should be pre-planned for the most accurate and affordable quote, depending on the material you choose may or may not alter the cost of your sunroom kit. Every aspect of your sunroom is important to you and your contractor. They will be more than happy to assist you in any means necessary.

Explore a variety of manufacturers so you can compare quotes, it is usually common to check with two, or three different contractors to get a general idea what price range you are looking at, when you go to purchase your sunroom kit. Another good source of information is located on the web; you can search different manufacturers and check to see if there is a showroom close to where you live, so you can begin planning your new sunroom.

Once everything is completed and you have placed your order with all your customizations, your new sunroom kit will be mailed to your home ready to be built with full instructions and all your customization done prior to shipping. It is important that once you receive your sunroom kit in the mail to check for complete accuracy of materials before you begin construction. It will be easier to call the company and get them to ship you your missing pieces, then to be half way through your construction and realize that not everything that you ordered was shipped. This may cause problems in construction and time trying to wait for arrival of the missing material.

Do-It-Yourself Dangers

Many homeowners believe that they can build their own sunroom, but have little to no experience building anything themselves. If you are one of these homeowners that think you can build your sunroom yourself, stop, and think for a minute. What guarantees do you have for yourself? Can you afford any mishaps or damaged materials? When your project is finished, will it add value to your home or decrease the value of your home due to poor artisanship? These are the types of things to consider when thinking of building a sunroom or any addition by you.

Manufacturers offer warranties, they are insured and boned; their crews are licensed in their particular craft. If anything goes wrong or breaks, they cover the costs not you and the value of your home will increase. In addition, most manufacturers will have your sunroom built in a matter of a few days so you can begin to enjoy all of its hidden pleasures. Consider these things before you decide to build the sunroom yourself, and then make an informed decision that will benefit you and your home in the end. Do not make a silly decision based on your thoughts of building this sunroom in one weekend with a few of your friends helping you. You could be spelling out disaster, and you do not even know it yet.

If you decide that you will chose, a contractor to build your sunroom for you it is important that you chose a reputable manufacturer, a company that has a solid reputation a company like Betterliving out of New York they have earned a reputation for quality sunroom, patio, conservatory, and awning products since 1946. Your sunroom will be built from the highest quality vinyl, reinforced with aluminum. With color options, which can complement your existing home color nicely? Betterlivings designs contain UL approved wiring systems for your electricity needs. (UL stands for Underwriter Laboratories.) and all, Betterlivings windows have an Energy Star rating, so you can be assured you have quality in your home and your new Betterliving sunroom (Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.)

Betterliving has a presence on the web so look them up and visit a dealer near you.

There are also several other manufacturers available to choose from so do your research and find the one that is right for you, remember to research the web, your local paper, and speak with a few people that your or one of your friends or family members know that have recently built an addition to their home you will be surprised how much information you will obtain from just taking time to plan and research before you get this projected started, and by the time you are finished you might even be a subject matter expert on sunroom additions.

Four-Season Do-It-Yourself Sunrooms - Are You Up to the Task?

Preparing To Build Your Do-It-Yourself Sunroom

First, take accurate measurements of the space where you want to locate your sunroom. Then research the building materials, windows, and roof designs available for sunrooms and choose those which will most closely meet your needs and budget. Make inquiries of a number of sunroom manufacturers, supplying them with your information and asking for quotes.

You can find the names and contact numbers of dozens of sunroom manufacturers online, and by visiting their websites you'll also find out whether or not they sell modular sunroom do-it-yourself kits. Once you've settled on a manufacturer, supplied all your information, and received your quote, you should head for the local zoning board to make sure that your do-it-yourself sunroom kit will comply with all the local building codes. If it dos, go ahead and order it.

Unless you intend to simply build your do-it-yourself sunroom directly on .an existing porch or deck, you'll need to have you lot graded and a foundation poured where you want the sunroom constructed. You can do all of that while waiting for your do-it-yourself sunroom kit to arrive. When it does, check it for missing pieces and if there are any, contact the manufacturer to have them replaced before you begin construction.

Do-It-Yourself Sunroom Kits Aren't For Everyone

If you are someone who starts every project with the highest hopes and unbridled enthusiasm, only to lose interest as soon as you realize the amount of work involved is more than you anticipated, you might be better off having your sunroom constructed by a professional.

There are far too many people who simply insist on biting off more than they can chew when they tackle home improvement projects, even when they have little building experience and should know better. Don't go into your do it-yourseft sunroom project assuming that everything will just fall into place, and your sunroom will practically build itself. If you don't have much building experience, at least try to have a building-savvy friend around to offer advice.

Remember that the sunroom you build is the sunroom with which you'll have to live, and which is either going to increase or decrease your home's salability. If you don't know how to test a foundation or install wiring so that it complies with local building codes, don't take on the sunroom. You will almost certainly live to regret it!

Prices for Do It Yourself Sunroom Kits

Once upon a time, if you wanted to build a sunroom onto your home, you would have to hire and pay a contractor to do it for you. But with the introduction of sunroom kits, that is no longer necessary. You can order a do it yourself sunroom kit from any number of sunroom manufacturing companies, who will then ship to you the elements that are necessary to put the room together. The idea behind sunroom kits is that you should be able to save money on getting your sunroom installed by putting it together yourself. Not only are you providing the labor, but you are also cutting out the 'middle man' in the process of building your sunroom. This allows you to save money on the materials as well. Plus, depending on the do it yourself sunroom kit that you choose, you can also save money on future energy and maintenance costs.

First, understand that the price of a do it yourself sunroom kit will vary depending on your home's particular situation. For example, if you are choosing to build a small, aluminum sunroom on top of an existing deck or cement slab, it will be much less expensive than building a block foundation sunroom with more windows and wood framing. If you have an existing deck or slab, then it makes sense to choose that location for the sunroom because it is already properly graded and prepared. In that case, you can measure the deck or slab and get the proper measurements for ordering your kit. But if you don't have a slab or deck already, then you will need to decide on the proper location for your sunroom. You will also need to grade and prepare the area before you can begin construction. This obviously changes the amount of work that you will be requiring of yourself when installing your do it yourself sunroom kit. Of course, you could always hire a contractor to put in the slab for a block foundation sunroom, and then build the rest of it yourself.

Choosing the Type of Do It Yourself Sunroom Kit

When you are ordering a sunroom kit, realize that it is usually designed for a sunroom that is not going to be connected to your HVAC system. If you want your sunroom to be heated or cooled by your existing system, then that is likely not a project you will want to take on with your do it yourself sunroom kit. Otherwise, you'll be relying on fans and portable heaters or coolers to keep your sunroom comfortable. Depending on the climate where you live, this may be just fine for you.

Getting a Quote for Your Sunroom

Companies that provide do it yourself sunroom kits have a number of standard sizes and types that they are ready to provide for you. These are the least expensive options because they are able to mass produce them and package them at a savings to them, which they will then pass on to you. However, that doesn't mean that you can't find the right kit for you and the design that you have in mind. If you find that the standard kits you can find don't fit the sunroom that you are looking to create, then you can certainly get a custom kit created, but you need to realize that it will cost more to do so. In order to get a quote for the sunroom kit you want to order, you will have to provide them with the measurements that you have selected for the design. This doesn't just include the dimensions of the sunroom itself; it also includes knowing how many windows you will have and where they will be placed. You will then also have to choose the materials that you want the sunroom to be built from, and the types of windows that you want. Will they all be stationary or will they be movable? What kind of glaze will they have on them? If this seems like it's an overwhelming number of decisions to be made, don't worry; you can get a great deal of help from the sunroom manufacturers themselves. Many of them have online design pages that will walk you through all of the choices you will need to make for your custom sunroom kit. The final kit, based on the design that you created, will be shipped to your home and will include customized installation plans as well.

Possible Problems With Do It Yourself Sunroom Kits

Probably the most common problem with a do it yourself sunroom kit is that the person who ordered it is simply not prepared for the type and amount of work that is involved. If you are not absolutely certain that you have the time and know-how to install the kit, you should think twice before attempting it. Also, remember that if you are doing the installation yourself, the work is not going to be covered by a guarantee of some kind. The materials will be, but the actual construction itself will not be. Plus, if you do make an error, any damages to your home may not be covered. In fact, it is a good idea to check with your homeowner's insurance policy before deciding to install your own sunroom so that you know whether or not you are covered for accidents that damage your home or cause injury to yourself or others. Otherwise your 'savings' could quickly become extremely costly if you have an accident.

Do it Yourself Sunroom Plans

Have you decided that you want to add on a sunroom to your home? Well, this is definitely a wonderful idea, and no doubt once you have your sunroom you'll love it? However, once you make this decision you may be wondering where to begin and how you can get started so you can have that beautiful sunroom added on as soon as possible. Well, if you plan on doing this job yourself, you'll definitely want to have some good do it yourself sunroom plans. The following are a few tips that can help you to pick out the plans for your sunroom that will thrill you when it is completed.

Check on Your Budget

The first thing that must be done if you are looking at plans for building your own sunroom is to check on your budget. Know how much money you can spend on this project and then work around that. You don't want to overspend, but of course you do want to make sure that you get the best sunroom possible for the money that you have on hand. So, find out what you can spend and then you'll be able to make a better decision on the plans that you want for the new sunroom.

Take a Look at Pictures

If you are trying to decide what kind of plans to choose for your sunroom, you may want to take the time to take a look at pictures of different sunrooms. Take a look at the things that you really like about other sunrooms and note things that you are not so fond of as well. The more you look at pictures of sunrooms, the more you'll be able to figure out what you really want out of your sunroom. This can be a huge help when you are trying to pick out the plans for your sunroom.

Consider the Size

The size of the sunroom should be taken into consideration as well. How large of a room are you going to want to have? The size can make a big difference when it comes to the plans that you need to pick out. If you want a larger sunroom, the plans will be much different than the plans needed for a smaller sunroom. So, make sure that you have a good idea of the size that you are going to want a need before making the final decision on your plans.

Find a Plan You Love

Of course while the specifics of budget and size are going to be important, you also want to make sure that you pick plans that you really love. You won't want to go with plans that you are not going to be thrilled with. After all, this sunroom is going to become a permanent part of your home after it is build. So, make sure that you love the plans and also make sure that the plans are simple enough that you will be able to easily build the beautiful sunroom that you've been wanting for so long.

Do it Yourself Sunroom Kits

Adding on a sunroom to your home can definitely be a wonderful choice, since these sunrooms have so much to offer. Of course once you decide that you want to add on a sunroom, you may try to figure out whether you should have a contractor do the work for you or try to do it all yourself. Well, it's a whole lot easier to build your sunroom yourself these days with the great do it yourself sunroom kits that are out there for you to purchase and use. You'll find that they are reasonably priced and come in a variety of different sizes for you to use; however, in some cases you may want to get a custom kit that will meet the specific needs that you have in the sunroom of your dreams.

Precise Measurements are Needed

If you are not planning to go with a standardized do it yourself sunroom kit, you'll need to provide the company with specific measurements of the home. These measurements are important so that you get the kit that you need to suit your home. Also, not only will they need to have the measurements, but you'll need to let them know the criteria that you have for the sunroom that you want. This includes letting them know the style you want, the materials you prefer to use, and more. While it may sound like a lot of information to keep straight, the companies can help you with this process so that you are sure that the kit you purchase is going to be just right for the room that you want and need added on to your home.

There Can Be Problems

Of course it is definitely important to note that when you go with do it yourself kits that you can use to build your own sunroom, there are some problems that can crop out along the way. In some cases when you make the order there can be some misunderstandings that could lead to you getting the wrong kit. Also, you may think that the project is easier than it really is, only to realize about halfway through that you are in over your head. It's important that you realize that the materials that you get in these kits are going to be guaranteed, but since you are doing the job yourself on the construction, problems that are construction related are not going to be covered and you will be liable for anything that happens.

The Savings of Doing it Yourself

While there definitely are some problems that can occur, when you decide to use a do it yourself kit for your sunroom, there are some great benefits as well and one of the main ones is the great savings that you can enjoy when you do it yourself. You'll find that these kits are so much cheaper than having to hire someone to do the job for you. However, you have to consider whether the price savings is worth you having to spend the time working on the sunroom yourself. If you think so, then these kits are a wonderful idea that makes the process much easier for you than having to start from scratch.